those tempting little packets of seeds
By greenmaxine
9 comments
This morning, a thick fat package arrived and instantly, my heart skipped a beat. with trembling hands, I slit open the paper and out slithered a dozen or so glossy packets of seeds, each one bearing tantalising technicolour images of impossibly perfect plants, promising me the best summer yet. Ordered back in the depths of January, the seeds have finally arrived, meaning that spring is around the corner!
But, of course, I must be realistic. First of all, I must resist temptation. Yes, some of the seed packets say ‘plant from February onwards’, which immediately make me feel a bit panicky, as if I’ve missed the boat and need to rush out to dust off the propogator. I know from many years experience that the WORST thing to do is to plant too early – particularly the half-hardy annuals which need cossetting inside until it is warmer.
If I do sow those seeds too early, I’ll soon have leggy plants, their roots cramped in too-small pots on the windowsill, languishing and overcrowded like a bunch of teenagers sulkily queueing for the school bus, while I wait for the last frosts to pass.
No, better still is to be a little late, but of course, not TOO late, otherwise those canny seedlings will work out how many days left before midsummer ( longest day) and refuse to flower.
I also have to be realistic about the promise of those glossy pictures on the packet. A bit liked supermodels who have had their immaculate skin airbrushed, I must not expect the seeds to turn into the gorgeous beauties portrayed in bloom.
No, instead, I must realise that in my garden – beset as it is by slugs, ducks, blackbirds & woodpigeons, not to mention being lashed by rain, etc – I’ll be lucky if any seedling actually flowers and must be grateful for any petals that are left.
But never mind. Back in January, ordering those seeds was a little ray of hope on a dark day. And today, despite the threat of sleet, now that the seeds have arrived I know that spring is finally on its way.
4 Mar, 2009
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Comments
Oh Greenmaxine.....you have expressed the 'joy' of seeds so well...Those lovely glossy packets with the supermodel flowers on the front. Dreams of a fantastic show case garden with huge, plentiful flowers dashed by the reality of our 'not so perfect' environment.
Oh well, it is so much fun to plant and care for the little babies when they emerge. It makes it all worthwhile. And, if the flowers don't do as well as the ones on the packets....well, there is always another year to try again!!
Great blog....I love it.
4 Mar, 2009
I just loved what you wrote! And I feel like you, thinking about maybe its too late or too early, or if it is really going to work...but at the end, its so nice watching the plants growing so lovely as they are!
I will come back to read more!
4 Mar, 2009
Oh you are so right about the excitment of opening the package (by the time mine arrived I'd forgotton what I ordered).
I held off sowing them for a few weeks but couldn't resist any longer and there are now 11 seed trays on the worktop - no greenhouse yet and putting them on the pasting table in the extension didn't work. I've never grown any seeds indoors before so my fingers are crossed.
4 Mar, 2009
Maxine you do have a way with words,lol,enjoyed reading this blog,.........
4 Mar, 2009
You are so right! I buy seeds from the catalogue with high hopes... often, sadly, the flowers and plants are NOT like the pictures on the packet! Do I learn? No, of course not!
4 Mar, 2009
I never sew seeds until the end of March or sometimes into April. I've had the same experience as you with them going leggy, and overcrowded because I can't put them outside , and I have nowhwere inside to keep them. My green house isn't up yet and probably won't be this year. Anyway I hope you do have some summer colour from your seeds.
5 Mar, 2009
Thanks all - glad to know that I'm not alone!
5 Mar, 2009
yes, I think we all have followed seed packet instructions and planted too early. You're then left to nurse plants and try to stop them getting all leggy indoors. I've managed to resist this year but have now started sowing some veg and also some Tagetes (French marigold ) yesterday to plant with my tom's.
5 Mar, 2009
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I empathise with every word! I have very high hopes of my seedlings, so am bound to be let down! I have already had disappointments from delphinium seeds, but most of the others are holding their own. We can dream, can't we!
4 Mar, 2009